The Prime Minister wants to replace “rip-off degrees” with 100,000 apprenticeships which will leave people better off financially.
The “under performing” university degrees will be replace with “quality apprenticeships” and money saved by cutting university courses will fund 100,000 apprenticeships yearly by the end of the next parliament.
The Prime Minister said, “A future Conservative government will take the bold action of closing down under-performing university degrees that are letting our young people down, and instead using that money to fund 100,000 new, high quality apprenticeships.
“That’s the best way to transform people’s lives and spread opportunity. The best way to deliver a secure future for our young people.”
He said that university is good for many, however “it’s not the only option” and Sunak stopped short of naming the “rip-off degrees.”
Sunak added, “Improving education is the closest thing we have to a silver bullet for boosting life chances. So, it’s not fair that some university courses are ripping young people off.
“Thanks to our plan, apprenticeships are much higher quality than they were under Labour. And now we will create 100,000 more, by putting an end to rip-off degrees and offering our young people the employment opportunities and financial security they need to thrive.
“That’s the choice at this election – the Conservatives with our clear plan to grow the economy and give people the opportunities they need for a secure future, or Labour who have no plan and would take us back to square one.”
Labour’s shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “It is laughable that the Tories, who have presided over a halving of apprenticeships for young people, are now announcing this.
Why on earth should parents and young people believe they’ll create training opportunities now, after 14 years of failing to deliver opportunities for young people and the skills needed to grow our economy?
Clara Goldsmith, Executive Director of the UK Year of Service programme said, “Whilst we welcome any proposals that offer young people the chance to learn and develop, we must consider that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to skills training.
“The world of work is changing, and the policy focus needs to be on providing suitable opportunities that lay the foundations for the next generation to build the skillset they need to forge successful careers.
“With nearly one million youngsters not in education, employment, or training (NEET) the need for an effective system is clear, and for this to work that system will be made up of several different elements.
“UK Year of Service is one part of this, in the way that apprenticeships are another. Our placements in social purpose organisations give 18-24-year-olds the opportunity to learn and grow while also giving back to the community around them.
“Rather than compelling anyone towards a scheme that might not suit them, we believe that giving young people a choice will result in many more of them finding their purpose in life and making excellent contributions to the UK’s social and economic landscape.”
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